Infinitives
An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by "to." Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Structure:
To + base verb
Examples and Explanations:
She wants to travel the world.Here, "to travel" is an infinitive that acts as the object of the verb "wants."
It’s important to study hard.In this sentence, "to study" is an infinitive that functions as the subject.
He is the person to ask for advice."To ask" is an infinitive that functions as an adjective describing "the person."
I forgot to call her."To call" is an infinitive that functions as the object of the verb "forgot."
1. after some verbs, e.g. wait, need, would like, etc. | I need to buy some new clothes. Try not to talk about politics. |
2. after adjectives.
| It 'll be nice to meet your parents. It's important not to be late. |
3. after question words, e.g. what, where, when, etc. | I don't know where to go or what to do. |
4. to say why you do something.
| A Why did you go to the party? B To meet new people. I went to the party to meet new people. |
Verbs Followed by an Infinitive (Gerund and İnfinitive)
agree aim | dare decide | intend leap | say shoot | want wish |
appear arrange | deserve detest | leave like | consent continue | start stop |
ask attempt | dislike expect | long love | plan prefer | strive swear |
be able beg | fail forget | mean neglect | prepare proceed | threaten try |
begin care | get happen | offer ought | promise propose | use wait |
choose condescend | have hesitate | hope harry | refuse remember | |
1. as the subject or object of a sentence.
| Eating outside in the summer makes me feel good. My idea of happiness is getting up late and not going to work. |
2. after some verbs, e.g. like, love, hate, enjoy, etc.
| I love reading in bed. I hate not getting to the airport early. |
3. after prepositions.
| l'm thinking of buying a new car. He left without saying goodbye |
Verbs Followed by a Gerund (Gerund and İnfinitive)
Gerunds
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun. It’s often used to talk about activities or hobbies.
Structure:
Verb + -ing
Examples and Explanations:
Swimming is good for your health.Here, "swimming" is a gerund that acts as the subject of the sentence.
She enjoys reading novels.In this sentence, "reading" is the gerund that functions as the object of the verb "enjoys."
I’m interested in learning Spanish."Learning" is a gerund that follows the preposition "in."
They are tired of waiting."Waiting" is the gerund that follows the preposition "of."
admit advise appreciate avoid can`t help complete | delay deny detest dislike enjoy escape | finish forbid get through have imagine mind | permit postpone practice quit recall report |
consider resist resume | excuse risk spend(time) | miss suggest tolerate | resent waste (time) |
like, love, hate, and prefer like, love, hate, and prefer are usually used with the gerund in British English but can also be used with the infinitive. We tend to use the gerund when we talk generally and the infinitive when we talk specifically e.g.: I like swimming (general) I like to swim first thing in the morning when there aren't many people there (specific) I prefer cycling to driving (general) You don't need to give me a lift to the station. I prefer to walk (specific) When like, love, hate, and prefer are used with would, they are always followed by to+ infinitive, e.g. I'd prefer to stay at home tonight, I'd love to come with you. |
Using Gerunds and Infinitives
Some verbs, adjectives, and nouns are followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, and sometimes the meaning can change depending on which form you use.
Verbs Followed by Gerunds:
Enjoy:
I enjoy playing tennis.
“Playing” is the gerund used after “enjoy.”
Avoid:
She avoids eating junk food.
“Eating” is the gerund used after “avoid.”
Consider:
They considered moving to another city.
“Moving” is the gerund used after “consider.”
Verbs Followed by Infinitives:
Want:
I want to go home.
“To go” is the infinitive used after “want.”
Decide:
He decided to join the gym.
“To join” is the infinitive used after “decide.”
Hope:
She hopes to find a new job soon.
“To find” is the infinitive used after “hope.”
Gerund vs. Infinitive
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning might change.
Stop:
Stop smoking. (Quit the habit of smoking.)
Stop to smoke. (Pause what you are doing in order to smoke.)
Remember:
I remember meeting him before. (Recalling a past event.)
Remember to meet him at the station. (A future action.)
Try:
Try cooking this recipe. (Experiment with cooking.)
Try to cook this recipe. (Make an effort to cook.)
Adjectives Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives:
Good at:
She’s good at singing. (Gerund)
Eager to:
He’s eager to start the project. (Infinitive)
Nouns Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives:
Interest in:
She has an interest in photography. (Gerund)
Opportunity to:
I got an opportunity to travel abroad. (Infinitive)
Summary
Gerunds are used as nouns and follow certain verbs and prepositions.
Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs and follow many verbs and adjectives.
GRAMMAR (Gerund and İnfinitive)
a. Complete with a gerund or infinitive with to of a verb from the list.
carry call come do drive eat out
go out take tidy wait work
Ex: I'm exhausted! I don't fancy going out tonight.
1) I suggest _____ a taxi to the airport tomorrow. It'll be much quicker.
2) Even though the snow was really deep, we managed _____ to the local shop and back.
3) We'd better_____ some shopping- there isn't much food for the weekend.
4) I'm very impatient. I can't stand _____ in queues.
5) I wasn't well and a young man offered_____ my bags.
6) My parents used to make me _____ my room.
7) We threatened _____ the police if the boys didn't stop throwing stones.
8) Do you feel like_____ to the gym with me?
9) I'd prefer _____ instead of getting a takeaway.
10) I don't mind_____ late tonight if you want me to.
A 1 taking 6 tidy
2 to drive 7 to call
3 do 8 coming
4 waiting 9 to eat out / eating out
5 to carry 10 working
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